Lassiter student arrested for knife at school

Marietta Journal Online ^ | by Leo Hohmann | September 25, 2013

[ClaytonP]

The weapons-at-school hysteria generally peaks with a suspension. Not so for a high school student in Georgia who is facing felony charges because the contents of a tackle box in his car.

17-year-old Cody Chitwood was busted during a random sweep of the Lassiter High School parking lot by police and this student who has never been in trouble before now faces prosecution, large fines, prison time, and the loss of his plans to join the Air Force in the future due to a hysterical overreaction that has resulted in his arrest.

Cody Chitwood, 17, is a senior at Lassiter High School, and an avid fisherman.

He went fishing at his favorite spot, Mountain Park off Highway 92 and Mabry Road several days before and left his two fishing poles and tackle box in his car.

Little did he know that Lassiter administrators would order a K-9 search of the parking lot on Sept. 17 and a dog would hit on his car.

The dog apparently picked up a scent of black powder because Chitwood also had several firecrackers in his trunk, left over from a Fourth of July celebration. That was enough for police to order a thorough search of his 1998 BMW 328i.

They found four knives, all of them with blades of at least 2.5 inches, according to the arrest warrant. Three of them, including a fillet knife and a spring-assisted knife, were inside his tackle box in the trunk. A butterfly knife was found inside the pocket of the driver’s side door.

“I enjoy fishing. I go fishing probably once a week, sometimes twice a week,” said Chitwood, who has been suspended for 10 days by Lassiter Principal Chris Richie. “I just forgot that it was in there. I had my fishing poles in the car, too.”

He was charged with carrying a weapon in a school safety zone, which is a felony in Georgia. (source)

Now Cody’s parents bear the financial responsibility for paying an attorney to fight the ridiculous charges. If Cody is prosecuted, he could face anywhere from 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine…for having a loaded tackle box.

This hardened criminal – a kid who spends his time outdoors fishing instead of sitting at home playing violent video games or going out and smoking dope and drinking beer under the bleachers may be witnessing the destruction of his bright future – all because a group of administrators can’t be bothered to look at each situation individually.

Like all generalizations, “zero tolerance” policies are for lazy, unintelligent people who do not trust themselves to think critically about each individual situation. As well, a blanket policy makes it far easier to relinquish responsibility for actually making a decision based on the events and the people involved, and allows agendas to be pushed while freeing the enforcers of those agendas to say, “My hands were tied – we have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy.”

“Zero Tolerance”: It’s just code for “Zero Critical Thinking Skills”.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Huh??

[mylife]

Oh dear! I keep a pistol in my tackle box.

[FlingWingFlyer]

All part of Barry’s fundamentally transformed Amerika. We’re the new Third Reich now!

[fella]

We have slept while the oppressors have made laws against us living our lives and militarized their police.

[DesertRhino]

Jury nullification. It ain’t just for OJ. Say whatever it takes to sound like a sheep to get on a jury, then vote not guilty. All it takes is one.

[Gene Eric]

Another example of ordinary scumbags destroying innocent lives.

[bunkerhill7]

“How to make a Criminal for Dummies”

[Cementjungle]

If the tackle box had been filled with sex toys, especially gay toys, he probably would have been given a commendation.

[ClaytonP]

All part of Barry’s fundamentally transformed Amerika. We’re the new Third Reich now!

With all due respect, if you believe that than you are part of the problem.

This local government has nothing to do with Obama.

First it happened it Georgia, which is not a blue state.

Second, plenty of "law and order" Republicans have passed these kind of laws at the local level all across this country in the past decade and conservative voters don't care.

[dragnet2]

Those still in Georgia, should get out as soon as possible.

[ClaytonP]

Those still in Georgia, should get out as soon as possible.

No.

It very close to "that time" (what I cannot mention per forum rules).

[mylife]

““Do you really think we want those laws observed?” Said Dr. Ferris. We want them broken. You better get it straight that it’s not a bunch of boy scouts you’re up against - then you’ll know this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We’re after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick and you’d better get wise to it. There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now, that’s the system Mr. Reardon, that’s the game, and once you understand it, you’ll be much easier to deal with.”

Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 3, Page 404

[onthegulf]

Excuse me but this shit has to stop. Wake up America!!!!!

[Stand Watch Listen]

Like all generalizations, “zero tolerance” policies are for lazy, unintelligent people who do not trust themselves to think critically about each individual situation. As well, a blanket policy makes it far easier to relinquish responsibility for actually making a decision based on the events and the people involved, and allows agendas to be pushed while freeing the enforcers of those agendas to say, “My hands were tied – we have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy.” “Zero Tolerance”: It’s just code for “Zero Critical Thinking Skills”.

[Jonty30]

Find him not guilty, then sue every administrator individually.

I’m wondering if it is possible to bring lawsuits in regards to potential harm?

[jsanders2001]

The next time the teacher or a principle at that schoolfails to exercise their duties or commits a crime even off campus that displays a ack ofjudgment they should hold their feet to the fire and fire them. The blade will start cutting both ways if people stop being sheople and just stand up

[Viking2002]

I live across the Hooch from West Point. I 'dig it'.

[dragnet2]

Relax, it’s an inside joke..